ASPIRE The Bourne Academy Anti-Bullying Policy Imagination is more important than knowledge Albert Einstein VISION Our central belief is that everyone is a learner and everyone is a teacher. PURPOSE At The Bourne Academy we develop literate, numerate global citizens who ASPIRE: Ambitious, Self-confident, Physically Literate, Independent Learners, Resilient, Emotionally Literate RATIONALE The Bourne Academy believes that all students should be empowered to achieve and aspire to the highest, be treated with respect and treat others with respect, and enjoy the Academy. We are therefore committed to providing a caring and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in an atmosphere of mutual respect for each other s views and approaches to life. Our aim is to provide a learning environment free of any threat or fear, which will enable us to support the aspirations, achievement and welfare of the Academy community. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at The Bourne Academy. If bullying does occur, all students should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a member of staff. It is important that students who do bully learn different ways to behave. Bullying is a form of abuse. It is a persistent, deliberate attempt to hurt or humiliate someone. There are various types of bullying, but most have three things in common: it is deliberately hurtful behaviour it is repeated over time there is an imbalance of power, which makes it hard for those being bullied to defend themselves Bullying takes many different forms, but the four main types are: physical including hitting, kicking, stealing of possessions verbal name calling, sexual/racist remarks, insulting comments psychological rumours, inciting cruelty from others, excluding/leaving out technological mobile phones/texts, cyber, social media
The Anti-bullying Policy applies to all students on site and to students when they are travelling to or from the Academy. It also applies when a student is taking part in any Academy-organised or Academy-related activity. The policy will be implemented when bullying is reported to the Academy and after any necessary investigation. Parents/carers are advised that the Police Safer Neighbourhood Team is the relevant point of contact for any threatening situations during weekends, evenings or holidays. OBJECTIVES For us as an Academy community: The whole Academy community is clear about the anti-bullying stance the Academy takes Students, as well as staff and other members of the Academy are fully engaged in developing and reviewing anti-bullying work in the Academy All students are clear about the roles they can take in preventing bullying, including the role of bystanders Every chance is taken to celebrate the success of anti-bullying work For the Principal and all staff: They ensure that Academy policies on anti-bullying and associated aspects of Academy life meet statutory requirements They promote a climate where bullying and violence are not tolerated and cannot flourish They continually develop best-practice based on knowledge of what works Curriculum opportunities are used to address bullying Student support systems are in place to prevent and respond to bullying They have addressed the Academy site issues and continuously monitor safety on the Academy site All staff take part in relevant professional development, and are clear about their roles and responsibilities in preventing and responding to bullying All staff are aware of the importance of modelling positive relationships They work in partnership with parents, other schools and with Children s Services and community partners to provide safer communities For the Governors: There is a review of the Academy anti-bullying policy ever two years and, as a result the policy and procedures are updated as necessary For Parents/Carers: They are clear that the Academy does not tolerate bullying They are aware of the procedures if they are concerned their child is being bullied or does not feel safe to learn, including the Academy s complaints procedure
They have confidence that the Academy will take any complaint about bullying seriously and investigate/resolve as necessary and that the Academy systems will deal with bullying in a way which protects their child For students who experience bullying: They are heard They know how to report bullying and get help They are confident in the Academy s ability to deal with the bullying Steps are taken to help them feel safe again They are helped to rebuild confidence and resilience They know how they can get support from others For students who engage in bullying behaviour: Sanctions and learning programmes hold them to account for their behaviour and help them to face up to the harm they have caused They learn to behave in ways which do not cause harm in the future because they have developed their emotional skills and knowledge They learn how they can take steps to repair the harm they have caused EXPECTATIONS Students are expected to be courteous to each other, staff and visitors and this is reinforced through positive example Students are encouraged to tell staff of any incidents of bullying whether directly involved or witnessed Parents/Carers are encouraged to approach the Academy with any concerns regarding bullying (or indeed any other concern). Information on dealing with incidents of bullying is also included in the student planner The Academy employs Heads of House who are able to investigate incidents expediently Tutors and other staff are encouraged to deal with arguments between students as soon as they arise, concentrating on how to solve their differences in order that these do not escalate The banning of mobile phones on Academy premises (except for Sixth Formers who are permitted to use them in the common room). This is to minimise the opportunity for bullying via the use of mobile phones. Students cannot access Social Net-working sites in the Academy and the Academy system will pick up issues of abuse in emails Suggestions are received from the School Council on areas for improvement or additional measures to promote good relationship amongst peers Year 7 students are offered Summer School in order to familiarise themselves with the environment and to meet their tutor and other pastoral staff. The system of support is explained and students are encouraged to go to their Head of House with any problems they have
The Academy has worked to improve the usage of space in the playground/field to provide distinct seating areas and areas for more physical activity. Provision is also made for those students who find the playground environment difficult at lunchtime through the Harbour & Oasis. Students may play games and undertake activities to further their social skills The Academy recognises that students will be at different stages of emotional development. For those struggling to cope with the demands of building the many different relationships needed to be socially adept, the Academy provides social skills programmes, where students are withdrawn from normal lessons to work on their social skills The Academy provides an anger management programme through the Harbour The playground, dining facilities and toilets are supervised by staff during social times and ten minutes before the start of the Academy day. CCTV is in operation at all times, including covering areas where bullying might occur Senior staff supervise the dismissal of students at the end of the Academy day, both at the door, in the grounds and in the road outside the Academy The Academy has a system of sixth form peer mentoring to whom younger students may report difficulties and who act as role models to students in year groups lower down the Academy (peer mentors are trained to recognise issues which must be passed to a member of staff) PROCEDURES Keep a record of incidents and issues: An electronic record of all complaints about bullying and the response taken is kept. This record is reviewed regularly to ensure that appropriate action has been taken and that any necessary changes to policies and procedures are identified Engage with parents and carers regarding concerns and complaints: All reported incidents are taken seriously and followed up seriously. Parents/carers are included in planning and discussions where appropriate and are aware of the outcomes of actions taken Listen to students and ensure that they have clear routes to responsive adults or peer mentors: The views of students on how safe they feel within the Academy are sought on a regular basis, through discussion and questionnaire. All reported incidents are taken seriously. Students know what the Academy s policy on bullying is and how to seek help if needed Teach and support the development of young people s social, emotional and behavioural skills. Programmes are offered to students to aid them in becoming responsible students. Opportunities are provided for students to learn about diversity and resilience through assemblies, curricular and extracurricular activities
Awareness Member of Staff deal with Record (Student Incident Form) Head of House Parental Contact Closure will be sought, where appropriate, through carefully managed meetings of all parties involved Further action (interview, warnings, group work, assembly work) No improvement Isolation Exclusion Reference to LT Referral to Outside Governors Agencies for additional Disciplinary support e.g. CHANGES Committee (emotional and mental support) If a student is accused of bullying and is found not to have bullied, reports will be removed from file. OUT OF SCHOOL INCIDENTS The Academy encourages parents/carers to let them know of any out of Academy incidents, so that the situation in the Academy can be monitored. However, incidents out of the Academy time where the Academy would not have jurisdiction cannot be dealt with by the Academy. The Academy does pass on concerns to parents/carers of any children involved and will liaise with the police where the matter has been referred by parents/carers to them. However, there are occasions, as specified in the Student Behaviour Policy, when the Academy does hold jurisdiction, despite an incident being out of Academy times. In these instances any incident will be dealt with in line with this policy and the Student Behaviour Policy. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEW The Governing Body will review this policy at least every two years and assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the Academy. Policy written by the Principal in consultation with staff on 08.06.10 Signed off by Governing Body on 17.06.10 Reviewed by the HOH-anti-bullying & Principal and Governing Body on 24.01.14